California’s new normal: How the climate crisis is fueling wildfires and changing life in the Golden State

Judson Jones
By Ray Sanchez, Brandon Miller and Judson Jones, CNN
Published 2:42 PM EDT, Mon August 24, 2020
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Dramatic video shows firefighters rescued from California wildfire
00:59 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

The orange glow from wildfires in the evening sky is a new way of life in the Golden State.

A lightning siege of over 12,000 strikes in 10 days ignited over 600 wildfires. Two of which have exploded into two of the top three largest wildfires in California history.

More than 1 million acres have already burned. That is an area five times the size of New York City.

Vast forests of dead trees have become tinderboxes, the result of years of warming temperatures, droughts and beetle-infestations.

Daily, millions of people across the state wake up to red-flag warnings that signal conditions ripe for fire danger.

Firefighters look out over a burning hillside as they fight the Blue Ridge Fire in Yorba Linda, California, on Monday, October 26, 2020.
Firefighters look out over a burning hillside as they fight the Blue Ridge Fire in Yorba Linda, California, on Monday, October 26, 2020.
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
A man evacuates his home as flames from the Blue Ridge Fire approach in Chino Hills, California, on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
A man evacuates his home as flames from the Blue Ridge Fire approach in Chino Hills, California, on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
David McNew/Getty Images
Firefighters conduct a backfire operation in Chino Hills on October 27, 2020.
Firefighters conduct a backfire operation in Chino Hills on October 27, 2020.
Myung J Chun/Los Angeles Times/Shutterstock
A firefighter uses a hose as the Silverado Fire approaches near Irvine, California.
A firefighter uses a hose as the Silverado Fire approaches near Irvine, California.
Mike Blake/Reuters
Firefighter Raymond Vasquez battles the Silverado Fire in Irvine on Monday, October 26, 2020.
Firefighter Raymond Vasquez battles the Silverado Fire in Irvine on Monday, October 26, 2020.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Flames rise from mountain ridges near a farmstead as a wildfire burns near Granby, Colorado, on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
Flames rise from mountain ridges near a farmstead as a wildfire burns near Granby, Colorado, on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
David Zalubowski/AP
Evacuees drive through a traffic jam exiting Big Thompson Canyon as the East Troublesome Fire forced residents out of Estes Park, Colorado, on October 22, 2020.
Evacuees drive through a traffic jam exiting Big Thompson Canyon as the East Troublesome Fire forced residents out of Estes Park, Colorado, on October 22, 2020.
Bethany Baker/USA Today Network/Reuters
Structures burned by the Cal-Wood Fire are seen in Boulder County, Colorado, on October 18, 2020.
Structures burned by the Cal-Wood Fire are seen in Boulder County, Colorado, on October 18, 2020.
Matthew Jonas/MediaNews Group/Boulder Daily Camera/Getty Images
Flames from the Cameron Peak Fire, the largest wildfire in Colorado history, work their way along a ridge outside Estes Park on October 16, 2020.
Flames from the Cameron Peak Fire, the largest wildfire in Colorado history, work their way along a ridge outside Estes Park on October 16, 2020.
Bethany Baker/The Coloradoan/USA Today Network
An airplane drops fire retardant on the Bruder Fire in Redlands, California, on October 15, 2020.
An airplane drops fire retardant on the Bruder Fire in Redlands, California, on October 15, 2020.
Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/Shutterstock
Dr. Alex Herman, right, and veterinary technician Linden West examine <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/us/mountain-lion-cub-rescued-california-zogg-fire/index.html" target="_blank">Captain Cal,</a> a 6-week-old mountain lion cub recovering from severe burn injuries at the Oakland Zoo Hospital in Oakland, California. The zoo later took in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2020/10/11/us/oakland-zoo-mountain-lion-rescued-from-wildfire-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">two more cubs rescued</a> from the same fire.
Dr. Alex Herman, right, and veterinary technician Linden West examine Captain Cal, a 6-week-old mountain lion cub recovering from severe burn injuries at the Oakland Zoo Hospital in Oakland, California. The zoo later took in two more cubs rescued from the same fire.
Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images
Burned bottles of wine sit in a pile at the Castello di Amorosa winery, which was destroyed by the Glass Fire in Calistoga, California, on October 1, 2020. Wildfires have damaged and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/11/us/california-wildfires-wineries/index.html" target="_blank">destroyed dozens of the region's famed wineries,</a> many of them family-owned businesses.
Burned bottles of wine sit in a pile at the Castello di Amorosa winery, which was destroyed by the Glass Fire in Calistoga, California, on October 1, 2020. Wildfires have damaged and destroyed dozens of the region's famed wineries, many of them family-owned businesses.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A firefighter walks along a path as the Glass Fire burns in Calistoga, California, on October 1, 2020.
A firefighter walks along a path as the Glass Fire burns in Calistoga, California, on October 1, 2020.
Noah Berger/AP
Vehicles burned in the Glass Fire sit outside of a home that survived in Calistoga on September 30, 2020.
Vehicles burned in the Glass Fire sit outside of a home that survived in Calistoga on September 30, 2020.
Samuel Corum/AFP/Getty Images
The remains of guest houses smolder at Calistoga Ranch after the Glass Fire passed through on September 30, 2020.
The remains of guest houses smolder at Calistoga Ranch after the Glass Fire passed through on September 30, 2020.
Samuel Corum/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighter Abraham Garcia signals a water truck in Angwin, California, on September 29, 2020.
Firefighter Abraham Garcia signals a water truck in Angwin, California, on September 29, 2020.
Paul Kuroda/Sipa USA
Firefighters watch the Glass Fire slowly creep across a clearing near Calistoga on September 29, 2020.
Firefighters watch the Glass Fire slowly creep across a clearing near Calistoga on September 29, 2020.
Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/Shutterstock
Damaged wine barrels sit stacked at the Fairwinds Estate Winery in Calistoga on September 29, 2020.
Damaged wine barrels sit stacked at the Fairwinds Estate Winery in Calistoga on September 29, 2020.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The Glass Fire burns in the background as Josh Asbury, an employee of CableCom, installs fiber-optic cable in Calistoga on September 28, 2020.
The Glass Fire burns in the background as Josh Asbury, an employee of CableCom, installs fiber-optic cable in Calistoga on September 28, 2020.
Adrees Latif/Reuters
Residents of the Oakmont Gardens senior home are transported to safety as the Shady Fire approaches in Santa Rosa on September 28, 2020.
Residents of the Oakmont Gardens senior home are transported to safety as the Shady Fire approaches in Santa Rosa on September 28, 2020.
Noah Berger/AP
Cellar worker Jose Juan Perez extinguishes hotspots at Castello di Amorosa, a Calistoga winery that was damaged in the 2020 Glass Fire.
Cellar worker Jose Juan Perez extinguishes hotspots at Castello di Amorosa, a Calistoga winery that was damaged in the 2020 Glass Fire.
Noah Berger/AP
An officer with Napa County Animal Control rescues a cat after the Glass Fire passed through Napa Valley, California, on September 28, 2020.
An officer with Napa County Animal Control rescues a cat after the Glass Fire passed through Napa Valley, California, on September 28, 2020.
Samuel Corum/AFP/Getty Images
The Glass Fire burns on a Napa County mountainside on September 28, 2020.
The Glass Fire burns on a Napa County mountainside on September 28, 2020.
Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Flames from the Glass Fire consume the Black Rock Inn in St. Helena, California, on September 27, 2020.
Flames from the Glass Fire consume the Black Rock Inn in St. Helena, California, on September 27, 2020.
Noah Berger/AP
Embers fly from a tree as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena on September 27, 2020.
Embers fly from a tree as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena on September 27, 2020.
Noah Berger/AP
An air tanker drops fire retardant on the Glass Fire, which was burning near the Davis Estates winery in Calistoga on September 27, 2020.
An air tanker drops fire retardant on the Glass Fire, which was burning near the Davis Estates winery in Calistoga on September 27, 2020.
Noah Berger/AP
Cal Fire Capt. Jesse Campbell works to save the Louis Stralla Water Treatment Plant as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena.
Cal Fire Capt. Jesse Campbell works to save the Louis Stralla Water Treatment Plant as the Glass Fire burns in St. Helena.
Noah Berger/AP
A photograph of Charles Morton, a firefighter killed battling the El Dorado Fire, is displayed at a memorial service in San Bernardino, California, on September 25, 2020. Morton, 39, was a 14-year veteran of the US Forest Service and a squad boss with the Big Bear Hotshot Crew of the San Bernardino National Forest.
A photograph of Charles Morton, a firefighter killed battling the El Dorado Fire, is displayed at a memorial service in San Bernardino, California, on September 25, 2020. Morton, 39, was a 14-year veteran of the US Forest Service and a squad boss with the Big Bear Hotshot Crew of the San Bernardino National Forest.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
An inmate firefighter takes a break while working to contain the Bear Fire in Oroville, California, on September 24, 2020.
An inmate firefighter takes a break while working to contain the Bear Fire in Oroville, California, on September 24, 2020.
Go Nakamura/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Inmate firefighters extinguish hot spots while working to contain the Bear Fire on September 24, 2020.
Inmate firefighters extinguish hot spots while working to contain the Bear Fire on September 24, 2020.
Go Nakamura/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Bobcat Fire burns near Cedar Springs, California, on September 21, 2020.
The Bobcat Fire burns near Cedar Springs, California, on September 21, 2020.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
Wildfire smoke rises in Medicine Bow National Forest in southeastern Wyoming on September 21, 2020.
Wildfire smoke rises in Medicine Bow National Forest in southeastern Wyoming on September 21, 2020.
Jerod Delay/AP
A deer looks for food in an area burned by the Bobcat Fire in Pearblossom, California, on September 20, 2020.
A deer looks for food in an area burned by the Bobcat Fire in Pearblossom, California, on September 20, 2020.
Kyle Grillot/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A woman takes photos as the Bobcat Fire burns in Juniper Hills, California, on September 18, 2020.
A woman takes photos as the Bobcat Fire burns in Juniper Hills, California, on September 18, 2020.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Wind whips embers from Joshua trees burned by the Bobcat Fire in Juniper Hills on September 18, 2020.
Wind whips embers from Joshua trees burned by the Bobcat Fire in Juniper Hills on September 18, 2020.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Firefighter Kirk McDusky walks past smoke rising from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, on September 18, 2020.
Firefighter Kirk McDusky walks past smoke rising from the Brattain Fire in Paisley, Oregon, on September 18, 2020.
Adrees Latif/Reuters
A Juniper Hills home burns during the Bobcat Fire on September 18, 2020.
A Juniper Hills home burns during the Bobcat Fire on September 18, 2020.
Kyle Grillot/AFP/Getty Images
A firefighter battles the Bobcat Fire while defending the Mount Wilson observatory in Los Angeles on September 17, 2020.
A firefighter battles the Bobcat Fire while defending the Mount Wilson observatory in Los Angeles on September 17, 2020.
Ringo Chiu/Reuters
Stacey Kahny fixes her hair inside her tent at the evacuation center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point, Oregon, on September 16, 2020. Kahny lived with her parents at a trailer park in Phoenix, Oregon, that was destroyed by fire.
Stacey Kahny fixes her hair inside her tent at the evacuation center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point, Oregon, on September 16, 2020. Kahny lived with her parents at a trailer park in Phoenix, Oregon, that was destroyed by fire.
Paula Bronstein/AFP/Getty Images
A charred yearbook lies in the debris as Fred Skaff and his son Thomas clean up their home in Phoenix, Oregon, on September 16, 2020.
A charred yearbook lies in the debris as Fred Skaff and his son Thomas clean up their home in Phoenix, Oregon, on September 16, 2020.
Paula Bronstein/AFP/Getty Images
In this aerial photo taken with a drone, red fire retardant sits on leveled homes in Talent, Oregon, on September 15, 2020.
In this aerial photo taken with a drone, red fire retardant sits on leveled homes in Talent, Oregon, on September 15, 2020.
Noah Berger/AP
A firefighter works at the scene of the Bobcat Fire burning on hillsides near Monrovia, California, on September 15, 2020.
A firefighter works at the scene of the Bobcat Fire burning on hillsides near Monrovia, California, on September 15, 2020.
Ringo Chiu/AFP/Getty Images
President Donald Trump listens as California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about the wildfires during a briefing on September 14, 2020.
President Donald Trump listens as California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about the wildfires during a briefing on September 14, 2020.
Andrew Harnik/AP
George Coble walks through his destroyed property in Mill City, Oregon, on September 12, 2020.
George Coble walks through his destroyed property in Mill City, Oregon, on September 12, 2020.
John Locher/AP
The Bobcat Fire burns in Angeles National Forest, north of Monrovia, California, on September 11, 2020.
The Bobcat Fire burns in Angeles National Forest, north of Monrovia, California, on September 11, 2020.
Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Crystal Sparks kisses her 4-year-old twins, Chance and Ryder Sutton, as they escape the Obenchain Fire in Butte Falls, Oregon, on September 11, 2020.
Crystal Sparks kisses her 4-year-old twins, Chance and Ryder Sutton, as they escape the Obenchain Fire in Butte Falls, Oregon, on September 11, 2020.
Adrees Latif/Reuters
North Valley Disaster Group member Kari Zeitler and Butte County Animal Control officer Linda Newman bridle up two donkeys wandering along a roadside in Berry Creek, California, on September 11, 2020. The donkeys were displaced by the Bear Fire.
North Valley Disaster Group member Kari Zeitler and Butte County Animal Control officer Linda Newman bridle up two donkeys wandering along a roadside in Berry Creek, California, on September 11, 2020. The donkeys were displaced by the Bear Fire.
Peter DaSilva/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A firefighter shoots an incendiary device during a back burn to help control the Dolan Fire in Big Sur, California, on September 11, 2020.
A firefighter shoots an incendiary device during a back burn to help control the Dolan Fire in Big Sur, California, on September 11, 2020.
Nic Coury/AP
Dora Negrete is consoled by her son Hector Rocha after seeing their destroyed mobile home in Talent, Oregon, on September 10, 2020.
Dora Negrete is consoled by her son Hector Rocha after seeing their destroyed mobile home in Talent, Oregon, on September 10, 2020.
Paula Bronstein/AP
This aerial photo shows a destroyed mobile-home park in Phoenix, Oregon, on September 10, 2020.
This aerial photo shows a destroyed mobile-home park in Phoenix, Oregon, on September 10, 2020.
David Ryder/Getty Images
A street is shrouded by smoke from wildfires in West Linn, Oregon, on September 10, 2020.
A street is shrouded by smoke from wildfires in West Linn, Oregon, on September 10, 2020.
Christian Gallagher/AP
A tanker jet drops fire retardant to slow the Bobcat Fire in the Angeles National Forest north of Monrovia, California, on September 10, 2020.
A tanker jet drops fire retardant to slow the Bobcat Fire in the Angeles National Forest north of Monrovia, California, on September 10, 2020.
David McNew/Getty Images
Looking up San Francisco's Columbus Avenue, the Transamerica Pyramid and Salesforce Tower are covered with smoke from nearby wildfires on September 9, 2020. This photo was taken in the late morning.
Looking up San Francisco's Columbus Avenue, the Transamerica Pyramid and Salesforce Tower are covered with smoke from nearby wildfires on September 9, 2020. This photo was taken in the late morning.
Eric Risberg/AP
Visitors of San Francisco's Dolores Park are seen under an orange sky <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/09/weather/california-orange-skies-wildfires-photos-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">darkened by smoke</a> on September 9, 2020.
Visitors of San Francisco's Dolores Park are seen under an orange sky darkened by smoke on September 9, 2020.
Stephen Lam/Reuters
Wildfire smoke hangs over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on September 9, 2020.
Wildfire smoke hangs over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on September 9, 2020.
Michael Short/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Bejhan Razi, a senior building inspector in Mill Valley, California, checks out repairs on a lamp-post clock as the sky is illuminated by nearby wildfires.
Bejhan Razi, a senior building inspector in Mill Valley, California, checks out repairs on a lamp-post clock as the sky is illuminated by nearby wildfires.
Scott Strazzante/The San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers/Getty Images
People stand in Alamo Square Park as smoke hangs over San Francisco on September 9, 2020.
People stand in Alamo Square Park as smoke hangs over San Francisco on September 9, 2020.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images
People stop to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge as it is affected from smoke by nearby wildfires on September 9, 2020.
People stop to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge as it is affected from smoke by nearby wildfires on September 9, 2020.
Eric Risberg/AP
Firefighters cut defensive lines and light backfires to protect structures in Butte County, California, on September 9, 2020.
Firefighters cut defensive lines and light backfires to protect structures in Butte County, California, on September 9, 2020.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Flames shoot from a home in Butte County.
Flames shoot from a home in Butte County.
Noah Berger/AP